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The dialogue in Heaven between Laozi and Kongzi is based on the 81 chapters of the Tao Te Ching or the Book of Tao. The Tao Te Ching is a Chinese classic text. The received Tao Te Ching is a short text of around 5,000 Chinese characters in 81 brief chapters or sections. The text is fundamental to both philosophical and religious Taoism. It had strong influence other schools of thought, such as Legalism, Confucianism and Chinese Buddhism. When these were first introduced into China, they were usually interpreted through words and concepts provided by Daoism. According to tradition, it was written around 6th century BC by the sage Laozi, a record-keeper at the Zhou dynasty court, by whose name the text is known in China. The text's true authorship and date of composition or compilation are still debated although the oldest excavated text dates back to the late 4th century BC.

In his “Tea Talks” series an outstanding example of his work in this regard, he is letting the leading symbols of Chinese thought through the centuries, Lao Tzu (Laozi) and Confucius (Kongzi), discuss with each other. Through this approach he is able to uncover liberal notions that are deeply rooted in Chinese culture and indicate their potential contributions to contemporary Chinese development. We as a Foundation are thankful for the possibility of publishing selected chapters of the Tea Talk series in English, to bring this part of ongoing Chinese debate to a broader Western audience. By addressing non-Chinese readers, we also hope to contribute to a wider and deeper understanding of domestic Chinese philosophical and political discussion in 21st century China. - Dr. Rainer Adam

Through in-depth discussions and virtual debates between Lao Tzu and Confucius, the Dialogue aims to address the most perplexing, profound and fundamental questions of a political philosophical nature- to re-establish the great tradition of human liberty in China, upon both the local and the common spiritual heritage of whole mankind. - Liu Junning

Liu Junning

Liu Junning (born 1961) is a Chinese political scientist and one of the most prominent liberal voices inside Chinese academia. He was known for his studies on modern European classical liberalism as well as conservatism. He is currently a researcher of Institute of Chinese Culture, a subsidiary of China's Ministry of Culture.

Liu is an opponent of what are called Asian values, including the view that Asia should take a different route of political development outside of the tradition of liberal democracy, seen as a Western principle. Liu believes liberalism is not simply a Western value, but should be something universal. He is also an admirer of American philosopher Ayn Rand. He does not support direct democracy, and views Jean-Jacques Rousseau as its primary proponent.

In 2001, Liu penned an article calling for reform in China and was expelled from Chinese Academy of Social Science and prohibited from travelling abroad.In 2009 the authority of Communist Party of China gave warnings to Liu along with two other intellectuals for their political advocacy contrary to the current regime and their signature on Charter 08.